Issue 46 (August 2013, Volume 8, Number 4)

In this sumptuous issue we alter our trajectory a little by adding some new dimensions to our review offerings. J.R.R. Tolkien, one of my favourite authors, once observed, ‘If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.’ Sound advice and in this issue we focus on food, drink and music to broaden our review menu which will in future offer such articles to our regular mix.

Susan Meehan gives us her take on the much acclaimed ‘Two Cultures United by Tea’ event which was held at Banqueting House in Whitehall.

Sir Hugh Cortazzi takes an in depth and fascinating look at Slurp! A Social and Culinary History of Ramen by Barak Kushner.

We then turn our gaze on this year’s Matsuri in Trafalgar Square, the biggest annual celebration of Japanese culture, music and food in the UK.

To finish, we have two music related reviews including an exclusive interview with Taro Hakase about his new album JAPONISM.

• Two Cultures United by Tea
  
  
• Slurp! A Social and Culinary History of Ramen – Japan’s Favorite Noodle Soup
  
  
• Japan Matsuri 2013
  
  
• An Interview with Taro Hakase about his new album JAPONISM
  
  
• Out of Silence: A Pianist’s Yearbook [静けさの中から ― ピアニスト の四季]

Contributors